Snowbird Opening Early on Saturday, November 24, 2018 Ahead of Approaching Winter Storm

SNOWBIRD, UT – Snowbird is opening on Saturday, Nov. 24, for the start of the 2018/19 ski season. Snowbird will operate three chairlifts on the inaugural day of the season; Gadzoom, Mid-Gad, and Chickadee. Snowmaking operations at Snowbird have been aided by optimal low overnight temperatures in the last 10 days, allowing for ski terrain to open during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

“The herculean efforts of our snowmaking crews have once again showed why they are the best in the business,” said Dave Fields, President and General Manager of Snowbird. “Weather forecasts show a system change later this week, allowing Mother Nature to hopefully take over and deliver an added boost of powder snow.”

The Gadzoom chairlift will access Middle Bassackwards, Upper Big Emma, Middle Emma, and Lower Emma, allowing skiers and riders to return to Creekside. The Chickadee chairlift and Mid-Gad chairlift will direct skiers and snowboarders to areas more favorable for beginner and intermediate skill levels.

Snowbird guests are encouraged to carpool to the resort this weekend, with vehicles properly outfitted for winter driving conditions.

Ticket prices for opening weekend at Snowbird will be as follows; Adults $88, Youth (12 years of age and younger) $42, Seniors $74, Chickadee only tickets $21. Tickets can be purchased online at snowbird.com, Creekside Ticket Office or on the third level of the Snowbird Center.

This past summer Snowbird’s commitment to improving the resort continued with a renovation of the Snowbird Center including more guest space and restrooms, a new network of pedestrian bridges to allow for easier access to The Cliff Lodge, Snowbird Center and Lower Village and a new restaurant in the West Wing of The Cliff Lodge. The last three years at Snowbird have been some of the most transformative since the resort opened in 1971. Beginning with the construction of The Summit in December of 2015, an expansion of Creekside, renovations to The Cliff Lodge, expanded snowmaking, the investment continues with the forthcoming launch of the newest dining establishment SeventyOne replacing El Chanate in the summer of 2019.

Located just six miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon, and just 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, Snowbird is the closest alpine resort to an international airport in North America. Averaging over 500 inches of annual snowfall Snowbird has the longest season of any resort in Utah. For mountain weather, lodging information and dining options at Snowbird please visit snowbird.com, or contact Snowbird Communications Manager Brian Brown at bbrown@snowbird.com or (801) 891-3496.